West Indies have heart to beat Australia: Narine

Right-arm slow bowler Sunil Narine believes the West Indies' success in finally ending their Australian jinx could pave the way for victory in the five-match series.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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Kingstown:

Right-arm slow bowler Sunil Narine believes the West Indies' success in finally ending their Australian jinx could pave the way for victory in the five-match series.

The 23-year-old was named man of the match for his four for 27 off eight overs as the West Indies beat Australia by five wickets on Sunday, a first win over their rivals since 2006. (Match report)

"It feels really great to get my best figures in just my fifth match and bowl the team to a victory," said the Trinidad-born off-spinner.

"We needed this win after going 1-0 down in the first match on Friday. This will be a huge boost for the players in the team and everyone in the dressing room.

"This is the first West Indies win over Australia in a long time and it shows that we have it in us to win."

West Indies, who had lost 15 of their 16 previous one-dayers against Australia, in a run stretching back to the 2006 Champions Trophy in India, had slipped a match down here on Friday, losing by 64 runs.

But on Sunday big-hitting Kieron Pollard blasted a muscular 47 as the home side reached their target with 10 balls remaining.

Australia, put into bat in a game reduced to 40 overs a side because of rain, struggled to 154 for nine under cloudy conditions with West Indies set a Duckworth-Lewis target of 158.

Pollard's innings, which featured four huge sixes, one of which off Xavier Doherty, cleared the Arnos Vale stands and ended on the runway of the neighbouring St Vincent airport.

Carlton Baugh had the honour of hitting the winning runs, another six off the hapless Doherty which flew over midwicket as the home side finished on 163 for five.

Dwyane Bravo also played a crucial role, making 30 in a fifth-wicket partnership of 64 with Pollard which swung the game the West Indies' way after Brett Lee had removed opener Kieran Powell to a first ball lbw.

"It was not an easy wicket to score on," added Narine. "The batsmen found it a bit difficult to get the ball away and I knew once I kept to the game plan I could create problems."

"I bowled to a plan and I was well backed up by the other bowlers and the guys in the field. This was a wonderful team effort and is something to build on."

Despite their recent dismal record against Australia, Saint Vincent is a lucky venue for the West Indies who have won 18 of the 22 one-day internationals played here.

The third match in the series takes place at the same Arnos Vale ground on Tuesday with the last two games set for Saint Lucia on Friday and Sunday.